Paul Heyman to be Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame in Philadelphia

Let’s get it back to wrestling with some news from the WWE website:

As first reported by the Associated Press, Paul Heyman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

The outspoken, brusque New Yorker first gained enemies under the guise of Paul E. Dangerously in WCW. Managing Steve Austin, Arn Anderson and Rick Rude in a stable he dubbed his Dangerous Alliance, Heyman used a Big Apple attitude and an oversized 1980s cell phone to help his charges run through the likes of Sting and Ricky Steamboat.

After WCW released the hothead in 1993, Heyman found an opportunity in failure, turning a modest Philadelphia-based independent promotion called Eastern Championship Wrestling into the notoriously daring Extreme Championship Wrestling. Inspired by alternative rock music and MTV, the innovator took ECW from public access to national pay-per-view by endorsing brutal bouts showcasing the rare combination of misfit warriors alongside cutting-edge athletes.

Credited with inspiring WWE’s landmark “Attitude Era,” the controversial brand became the third-largest wrestling company in the world before it was crippled by financial problems in 2001. Heyman joined WWE as Jim Ross’ broadcast partner, but it wouldn’t be long before the nonconformists of ECW reemerged in WWE as part of the infamous “Invasion.” Aligning himself with Stephanie and Shane McMahon, Heyman came frighteningly close to overthrowing WWE but ultimately failed to bring down his competition.

Heyman was the guy who created the ECW that you came to know and love. He was the creative force that turned it into “Extreme” Championship Wrestling, so it’s apropos that he goes into the Hall of Fame on April 5th in Philadelphia. We should do a pregame at McCusker’s with Blue Meanie and the BWO. ECW! ECW! ECW!

If you’re a local or a casual, the ECW connection is what you know Heyman best for, but he’s had a long and interesting career as a manager, promoter, and executive. When WWE purchased ECW, he started as a commentator, then recreated ECW as a stable inside of WWE before becoming Smackdown’s lead writer. He managed Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Roman Reigns and others, and has cut many a fantastic promo over the years. He’s really done everything you can possibly do in the wrestling business.

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